25 Oct 09 All You Need to Know About Patio Umbrellas

Well, summer has arrived and if your yard could use a bit of sprucing up you are not the only one. The winter months can be harsh to our patio furniture and if you don’t have tons of extra cash there are a few simple ways to refresh your yard. One of the most common outdoor accessories is the patio umbrella. These days, a person is limited to a green or beige outdoor umbrella for your backyard. Outdoor umbrellas come in many shapes, sizes and colors which can make a statement. From modern to traditional you can find a nice match to your existing outdoor d?cor. Here are some tips on how to find the right patio umbrella for your needs.

First, you should figure out what size patio umbrella you require. This can be easily done with the help of a tape measure. If you will be using your outdoor umbrella over a table what you have to do is move your chairs out away from the table to where they would be if your friends were sitting in them. Then get your measuring tape, have one person hold one end at the center of your table and then walk around your table and chairs writing down the distance you are from the center of the table. For example, if you have a round table and you are walking at a distance of 4 ? feet out from the center of your table, you need to double that distance which would mean that you would need a 9 foot patio umbrella. If your table is oval and you are 4 feet out on one side and 5 ? feet out on the end you will need at least an 8 by 11 oval patio umbrella.

Now that you have measured for the size and shape umbrella you will need you need to determine the style. There are two basic styles available, wood or aluminum, and it is basically personal preference as to which one you select for your yard. Aluminum patio umbrellas weigh less than wood umbrellas which make them a bit easier to handle. They also tend to have cranking mechanisms that make them easier to open and close. Wood patio umbrellas have a very traditional and elegant look and can be paired nicely with existing wood furniture. They usually have manual lift systems or pulley systems to open and close them so there are fewer mechanical parts.

After you select which type of umbrella to purchase you will begin to look at fabrics and colors. The most common fabrics are Sunbrella, Olefin and Suncrylic. Everyone has their own benefits whether it is price, warranty or that it is easy to clean. Sunbrella fabrics are the high-end fabrics because they are marine-grade and come with a 3-year warranty against fading. Olefin is a lower priced fabric that is easy to clean and comes with a 1-year warranty against fading. Suncrylic is a solution-dyed acrylic fabric that also easy to maintain and comes with a 1-year warranty against fading. When determining which fabric is best for you, the most important thing to take into account is your type of weather and how much time during the year it will be outside. If your home is in a desert climate and tend to use your patio umbrella all year, you may want to think about investing in Sunbrella fabric. If you are in a milder climate and only use your umbrella for a few months out of the year you can purchase the Suncrylic or Olefin fabrics.

And don’t forget to find a color that speaks to you. There are lots of color choices available today, so make sure and get a bit creative with your outdoor umbrella.

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